I first met E. Lynn Harris around 1994 when he was a slightly insecure young new writer with a dream. Even before he achieved his own success, Lynn helped to break others, including myself, into the publishing business. I had no idea he would go on to become a prolific literary powerhouse in both the black and LGBT communities.

Even today, a year after his death, E. Lynn Harris’s profile pops up on my Facebook page from time to time. It is an eerie reminder of just how much his life and legacy continue to live on.

Lynn had a thirst for life that he revealed in his writing. He loved basketball, football, cheerleading and theater, and he enjoyed the company of beautiful and talented men and women. Most importantly, despite many setbacks, heartbreaks and disappointments in his life and his early career, he learned to love himself. In his printed words and his life experience, he left to us an inspiring story of the search for love and meaning.

This July LambdaLiterary.org will be honoring the memory of author E. Lynn Harris, who passed away last year. As a part of our tribute, we asked his friends and peers to tell us about the important legacy of his work and his incredible impact on the community.

Keith Boykin is a CNBC TV contributor, a Lambda Literary Award winner and a New York Times best-selling author. Educated at Dartmouth and Harvard, Keith served in the White House as a special assistant to President Bill Clinton. He is the author of three books: 'Beyond the Down Low: Sex, Lies and Denial in Black America,' 'Respecting The Soul,' and 'One More River to Cross.'